JP3440862B2 - Printing equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a digital micromirror device, L
When the image displayed by a digital image display device such as a CD (liquid crystal display) or a CRT (cathode ray tube) is printed on a photosensitive material by selectively using a plurality of printing lenses, the printing lenses are replaced. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that facilitates and simplifies the adjustment of light quantity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Light emitted from a digital image display device (for example, a digital micro-mirror device, LCD, CRT, etc.) displaying an image composed of a large number of pixels (hereinafter, referred to as an image-carrying light). A printing apparatus has been conventionally known in which a photosensitive material (for example, photographic paper or the like) is irradiated with this "image light" to print the image on the photosensitive material.

In such a printing device, an image contained in the image light emitted from the image display device is usually stretched by a printing lens (spreading lens) to form an image on the surface of the photosensitive material, and this image is exposed to light. Baked into the material. In such a printing apparatus, usually, a plurality of printing lenses having mutually different stretching ratios are provided, and any one of them is selected and used.

Generally, in a printing apparatus, the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material must be appropriate, but
In a printing apparatus equipped with a plurality of printing lenses having different drawing ratios, if the other conditions are substantially the same, the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material should be optimized according to the drawing ratio of the printing lens used. The amount of light that can be emitted (required amount of light) will change.

[0005]

Therefore, in a conventional printing apparatus including a plurality of printing lenses having different stretching ratios, various filters are inserted in an optical path, for example, an optical path between a light source and an image display device. A filter insertion member that can be attached) is arranged, and when exchanging the printing lens, the type of filter or the number of filters to be used is changed or the voltage applied to the light source lamp is changed according to the expansion ratio of the printing lens to be used. By doing so, the amount of light is adjusted to optimize the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material.

However, when the amount of light is adjusted by changing the type of filter or the number of filters used, it is necessary to confirm the type of filter or the number of filters used each time the printing lens is replaced, and then reinsert the filter. When the lenses are frequently replaced, there is a problem that such work becomes extremely complicated. Also,
There is a problem that the filter may be displaced when the filter is replaced. Further, there is a problem that the type or the number of filters to be reinserted may be wrong when the printing lens is replaced, or the filters may be damaged or damaged.

Further, when the light amount is adjusted by changing the applied voltage of the light source lamp, there is a problem that it is difficult to stabilize the applied voltage. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when a printing lens is exchanged, the printing apparatus can easily adjust the light amount so that the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material are optimized. Is to be a problem to be solved.

[0008]

A printing apparatus according to the present invention made to solve the above problems prints image light emitted from an image display apparatus and accompanied by an image displayed by the image display apparatus. In a printing apparatus adapted to irradiate a light-sensitive material (for example, photographic paper) through the lens device to print the image on the light-sensitive material, the printing lens device is selectively (alternately) selected. It is equipped with a plurality of burn-in lenses used for the purpose), and the expansion ratio of each burn-in lens is set on the front surface or the back surface of each burn-in lens.
Light intensity adjustment filter for adjusting is attached (e.g., are kicked with Ri <br/> preparative integrally the amount (required amount of light) as the exposure amount of the photosensitive material in response is optimized to ) Is characterized. In addition, the photosensitive material is at a constant speed
It is preferably transported. That is, when each printing lens is used, the characteristics of the filter (type of filter, number of sheets or thickness, etc.) required for optimizing the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material are known in advance. In this case, a light amount adjustment filter having such characteristics will be attached.

In the above printing apparatus, various digital image display devices of reflection type or transmission type can be used as the image display device. Specifically, for example, a digital micromirror device (DMD), a reflective LCD,
Examples include transmissive LCDs, transmissive PLZT panels, and CRTs. The digital micromirror device is provided with a plurality of micromirrors whose reflection directions can be switched, and the images can be displayed by switching the reflection directions of the micromirrors so as to correspond to the images. It is a reflection type image display device that can be used, and is particularly suitable for use as an image display device of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

Further, in the above-mentioned printing apparatus, B (blue), G (green) and R are used as the light quantity adjusting filters.
An ND filter (neutral density filter) that reduces the (red) light substantially uniformly can be used. A CC filter (color correction filter) that reduces or removes light of a specific color, for example, a CC40R filter that removes light other than R may be used.

In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the amount of light is adjusted on the front surface or the rear surface of each printing lens so as to adjust the light quantity so as to optimize the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material in accordance with the printing lens (extension ratio). Since the adjustment filter is attached (fixed), when the printing lens is replaced, the light amount is automatically adjusted at the same time, and naturally or naturally the exposure characteristics of the photosensitive material can be optimized. That is, it is not necessary to confirm and replace the filter as in the case of the conventional printing apparatus, and the replacement of the printing lens is extremely easy and simplified. Furthermore, there is no risk of mistakenly selecting the type or number of filters or damaging or damaging the filters when exchanging the printing lens. Needless to say, there is no possibility that the light amount adjustment filter will be displaced when the printing lens is replaced.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below by taking a printing apparatus (image printing apparatus) equipped with a digital micromirror device (DMD) as an image display apparatus as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention substantially includes an exposure printing processing unit 2 and a development processing unit 3.
And the drying processing unit 4. Then, in the exposure printing unit 2, the photographic printing paper 7 (photosensitive material) wound around the paper roller 6 in the paper magazine 5 is
After being pulled out from the paper magazine 5, it is conveyed in the directions indicated by arrows A ₁ and A ₂ by a photographic paper conveying mechanism including a conveying roller 13 and the like. The photographic paper 7 is continuously moved in the carrying direction at a constant speed by the photographic paper carrying mechanism.

In the exposure printing unit 2, the original light L ₁ (white light) emitted from the light source lamp 8 (for example, a halogen lamp) is changed to B (blue) and G (of the rotary color wheel 9). The light passes through either a green (green) or R (red) color filter (not shown), so that B,
The monochromatic light of G or R is incident on the digital micromirror device 10. Here, the color wheel 9 is continuously rotated while synchronizing with the switching timing of the color filters according to the speed of the exposure process, and the color filters to transmit the light are sequentially switched. That is, the color of the original light L ₁ is B, G,
It switches repeatedly in the order of R. In addition, color wheel 9
Instead of the continuous rotation as described above, the color filters to transmit the light may be sequentially switched by rotating intermittently at regular intervals according to the speed of the exposure process.

Then, the digital micromirror device 10
The image light L ₂ that is the reflected light of the image and is accompanied by the image displayed by the digital micromirror device 10 passes through the image forming lens device 11 (the image forming lenses 21 and 22 for low magnification and high magnification) (image Becomes an image light L ₃ , and the image light L ₃ is applied to the photographic printing paper 7, and the photographic printing paper 7 is exposed. Thus, the image displayed by the digital micromirror device 10 is stretched by the printing lens device 11 to form an image on the printing paper 7, and the image is printed on the printing paper 7. It should be noted that the exposure processing or the printing processing is repeated for the three monochromatic lights B, G, and R. That is, the B, G, and R images are overprinted on the same exposure area of the printing paper 7.

The printing paper 7 on which the image is printed in this way
Is transported from the exposure / printing processing section 2 to the development processing section 3 by a photographic paper transporting mechanism including a transport roller 13 and the like.
Then, the photographic printing paper 7 moves in the direction of arrow A ₃ while meandering in the development processing solution tank 12 provided in the development processing section 3 and is developed by the development processing solution. After that, the developed photographic printing paper 7 is transported from the development processing section 3 to the drying processing section 4 by the photographic printing paper transport mechanism, is dried while moving in the drying processing section 4 in the direction of arrow A ₄ , and the printing apparatus Taken out from 1.

The specific structure and function of the digital micromirror device 10, which is a reflective digital image display device, will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2A, the digital micromirror device 10 has a plate-shaped outer shape whose spreading surface is a substantially rectangular shape, and has a substantially rectangular micromirror portion in a frame portion 14 that forms the housing in plan view. 15 is arranged. Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, a large number of micromirror units 15 (6 in FIG.
Micro mirrors 16 (only one of which is shown) are arranged in a grid pattern. In a plan view, each micromirror 16 has a substantially square shape in which a dimension D _{1 in the} horizontal direction (corresponding to the width direction of the printing paper) and a dimension H _{1 in the} vertical direction (corresponding to the conveyance direction of the printing paper) are about 16 μm. The horizontal distance D ₂ and the vertical distance H ₂ are arranged to be about 1 μm. In this digital micromirror device 10 (SXGA standard), 1280 micromirrors 16 are arranged in the horizontal direction (1280 pixels) and 1024 micromirrors 16 are arranged in the vertical direction (1024 pixels). In addition, each micro mirror 16
Respectively correspond to one pixel.

As shown in FIG. 2C, each micro mirror 16 (16a, 16b) has a structure in which a mirror plate 17 is supported by a yoke 18 via a column 19. Although not shown in detail, the yoke 18 is rotatably connected to the substrate 20 via a connecting structure. Here, when a memory element (not shown) arranged on the substrate 20 below each yoke 18 is energized, for example, the state is shown in the left micromirror 16a in FIG. 2C. As described above, the yoke 18 is rotated and tilted by the electrostatic action of the memory element until its left end contacts the substrate 20. In this state, the normal line S ₁ of the mirror plate 17 is inclined to the left by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the vertical line S ₀ (+ θ). That is,
The reflecting surface (spreading surface) of the mirror plate 17 is tilted to the left by θ (hereinafter, this state of the micromirror is "ON").
That). At this time, the light reflected by the micro mirror 16a is applied to the printing lens device 11 and thus the printing paper 7.

On the other hand, when the memory element is not energized, for example, the micromirror 16b on the right side in FIG. 2C is used.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the yoke 18 is rotated and tilted by the electrostatic action of the memory element until its right end contacts the substrate 20. In this state, the normal line S ₂ of the mirror plate 17 is inclined to the right by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the vertical line S ₀ (−θ). That is, the reflection surface of the mirror plate 17 is inclined rightward by θ (hereinafter, this state of the micromirror is referred to as “off”). At this time, the reflected light from the micromirror 16b is transferred to the printing lens device 11
The photographic paper 7 is not irradiated and is absorbed by a light absorbing plate (not shown).

Thus, the digital micromirror device 1
0 switches (sets) the on / off state of each micro mirror 16 so as to correspond to the image based on the image data in digital format corresponding to the arbitrary image. That is, the micromirror unit 15 of the digital micromirror device 10 displays an image in which each micromirror 16 has one pixel (one pixel). Here, the time required to switch on / off each micromirror 16 is about 10 microseconds.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the printing apparatus 1, the printing lens apparatus 11 includes a low magnification printing lens 21 and
A high-magnification printing lens 22 is provided. Then, the low-magnification printing lens 21 and the high-magnification printing lens 22 are configured so as to be integrally rotated around the rotation shaft 23 extending in the vertical direction in the double-headed arrow X ₃ direction to be switched. Thus, these printing lenses 21 and 22 are selectively (selectively).
It is possible to arbitrarily set the image enlargement ratio to either low magnification or high magnification by switching to and using. In FIG. 3, an arrow X ₁ indicates the direction in which the original light L ₁ travels, and an arrow X ₂ indicates the image light L ₂ ,
The direction in which L ₃ advances is shown. The color wheel 9 is not shown in FIG.

On the front surface of the low-magnification printing lens 21, the light amount of the image light L ₂ is adjusted so that the exposure characteristics (for example, the exposure amount, the exposure intensity, etc.) of the photographic printing paper 7 are optimized. A 1ND filter 24 (light amount adjustment filter) is attached. In the present specification, the “front surface” and the “rear surface” of each of the printing lenses 21 and 22 are “upstream side” and “downstream side” when viewed in the direction in which the image lights L ₂ and L ₃ travel, respectively.
Shall mean. Further, in order to optimize the exposure characteristics of the photographic printing paper 7 also on the front surface of the high-magnification printing lens 22,
A second ND filter 25 (light amount adjustment filter) for adjusting the light amount of the image light L ₂ is attached.

That is, when using each of the printing lenses 21 and 22, the characteristics of the filter (type of filter, number of sheets or thickness, etc.) required to optimize the exposure characteristics of the printing paper 7 are known in advance. Therefore, the first and second ND filters 24 and 25 having such characteristics are attached to the front surfaces of the respective printing lenses 21 and 22. Both ND filters 24 and 25 are neutral density filters that reduce B, G, and R lights substantially uniformly.

In this way, the photographic printing paper 7 is provided on the front surfaces of both the printing lenses 21 and 22 in correspondence with the respective stretching ratios.
Since the ND filters 24 and 25 for adjusting the light amount of the image light L ₂ are attached so that the exposure characteristics of the image forming device are optimized, the light amounts are automatically changed at the same time when the printing lenses 21 and 22 are replaced. The exposure characteristics of the photographic printing paper 7 can be adjusted and naturally optimized. Therefore, it is unnecessary to confirm and replace the filter as in the case of the conventional printing apparatus, and the replacement of the printing lenses 21 and 22 is facilitated and simplified.

Also, when the printing lens is replaced (when switching)
In addition, there is no risk that the type or the number of filters will be wrong, that the filters will be damaged or damaged, or that the filters will be misaligned. In addition, each print lens 21, 22 and each ND filter 24, 2
5 and 5 are integrated respectively, the number of components (number of parts) of the printing apparatus 1 is reduced, and the printing apparatus 1 is simplified and made compact. Moreover, the possibility of failure of the printing apparatus 1 is reduced, and the switching of the printing lenses 21 and 22 or the ND filters 24 and 25 becomes reliable.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in the conventional printing apparatus, a filter insertion member 27 is provided in the optical path between the light source lamp 8 and the digital micromirror device 10 (micromirror unit 15) to print. When switching lenses,
An appropriate type or number of ND filters 28 are inserted into the filter insertion member 27 according to the printing lenses 21 and 22 to be used. For this reason, as described above, there is a problem that the filter replacement work is complicated, there is a possibility that the filter may be inserted incorrectly, the filter may be damaged, and the number of parts is large, so that a failure may occur.

In this embodiment, the ND filters 24 and 25 are used as the light quantity adjusting filters, but instead of this, CC filters (color correction filters) that reduce or remove light of a specific color are used. ), For example, a CC40R filter that removes light other than R may be used.

Further, although the digital micromirror device 10 is used as the image display device in this embodiment, the image display device is not limited to the digital micromirror device, and various reflection type or transmission type digital type devices are used. The image display device can be used. For example, reflective LCD, transmissive LCD, transmissive PLZT panel, CR
T or the like can be used. Note that these image display devices may be used in combination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

2A is a plan view of a micromirror device, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged plan view of a micromirror that constitutes the micromirror device shown in FIG.
(C) is an elevation view of the micromirror.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view showing an exposure printing unit of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view showing an exposure printing unit of a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Exposure printing processing section, 3 ... Development processing section,
4 ... Drying processing unit, 5 ... Paper magazine, 6 ... Paper roller, 7 ... Printing paper, 8 ... Light source lamp, 9 ... Color foil, 10 ... Digital micromirror device, 11 ... Printing lens device, 12 ... Development liquid tank , 13 ... Transport rollers, 14 ... Frame part, 15 ... Micro mirror part, 16 ... Micro mirror, 16a ... Micro mirror, 16b ... Micro mirror, 17 ... Mirror plate, 18 ... Yoke, 19
... Posts, 20 ... Substrate, 21 ... Low magnification baking lens, 22 ...
High-magnification printing lens, 23 ... Rotating shaft, 24 ... First ND filter, 25 ... Second ND filter, 27 ... Filter insertion member, 28 ... ND filter.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 27/00-27/80

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light-sensitive material is irradiated with image light emitted from the image display device and accompanied by an image displayed by the image display device, and the image is printed on the light-sensitive material. In the printing device, the printing lens device is provided with a plurality of printing lenses that are selectively used, and the front surface or the rear surface of each printing lens,
Each of the printing apparatuses is integrally provided with a light amount adjusting filter for adjusting the light amount so that the exposure amount of the photosensitive material is optimized in accordance with the extension ratio of each printing lens . 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photosensitive material is conveyed at a constant speed. 3. The image display device includes a plurality of micromirrors each capable of switching a reflection direction, and the image is displayed by switching the reflection direction of each micromirror so as to correspond to the image. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , which is a digital micromirror device. 4. The light amount adjusting filter comprises B, G and R
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is an ND filter that reduces the light of the above mentioned substantially uniformly.